Dearest students of ICSE Batch 2020,

I hope each of you is home, safe and secure.

It's been exactly a month since you received the unprecedented news of the suspension of the ICSE Board Examination.

What and how did you feel then? Happy, at getting some additional time to do better? Euphoric at getting unexpected holidays? Or... Disappointed, that you were very well prepared and so were looking forward to take the exam and ace it?

Something like this has never happened in the past and God forbid, we pray will never happen in the future.

Honestly, I wanted to reach out to you much earlier but I was hoping to connect with you once I had some certainty about your Examination. Unfortunately, I still don't. As of today, we do not know whether or not the remaining Papers will be conducted. If yes, then when and if not, then what?

Your Batch surely has an unusual challenge to face. You don't know whether to study since you now have time on hand or to just enjoy this home bound holiday and take to your books after the Examination is announced. And not that you can completely enjoy yourself, you must be getting bored; no sports, no meeting friends, no eating out. You may also feel - "This is not fair. Why did this have to happen now? Why with our batch? What have I done to deserve this?" Sometimes you may be frustrated, sometimes anxious, sometimes just hanging in, sometimes cool and sometimes relaxed. And every feeling that you are experiencing is absolutely normal.

As we look around us, we can see that the entire world is shaken by this calamity. Who would have imagined that the most developed nations would face a lockdown with their economies facing the biggest threat ever? Or that the Olympics would be postponed (in the history of Olympics, the games have been cancelled only thrice, all three times due to the World War l and ll). The French Open and Wimbledon have been postponed and so have International Football Leagues and Music concerts. There is no doubt that what the world faces today is beyond anyone's wildest dreams. And honestly there is no clue when this would be over.

So, is there hope? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Of course, there is and the biggest proof is the coming together in spirit of all humanity. The world has come together to unitedly fight the common enemy, Covid 19.

I have full faith that when God throws challenges at us, he also gives us the strength to face them.

May the Serenity Prayer be your guiding force:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, wisdom to know the difference.

We cannot change the reality of the lockdown or the uncertainty of the Board Examination, so let's accept it.

But we can control the way we are currently leading our lives, so let's change it for the better.

I know it’s easier said than done, but do think about what you can do about it.

• You can start by setting a routine. Routine provides stability and security.
• You can exercise at home. There are plenty of home exercise videos available online.
• You can watch what you eat, in fact you can rustle up a meal once in a while.
• You can contribute to your family by helping in domestic chores.
• You can pick up a hobby that you can learn online; play an instrument or create art.
• Catch up with your friends online but be aware of the amount of screen time spent.
• Do touch base with your studies for some time every day. You never know if and when the Examination is announced and how much time you would have before each paper.
• Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the art of being present in the moment and the simplest way of doing it is conscious breathing.
• Express gratitude. We are not stuck at home, we are blessed to have a home. We are privileged to have a family and friends that care for us. We are lucky to have our garbage cleared every day.

Some of you may already be doing some or all of it. If not, it's never too late to begin.

And in this time of difficulty, the school is always with you.

• If you would like to chat up with your teachers, we can schedule a meeting.
• If you want to talk to someone about your anxieties, we can schedule a meeting for you with our school counsellor.
• If you would like a session on Mindfulness, we'll be happy to conduct it online.
• If you have any other wish, do let me know and I'll surely do my best to make it happen.

We are in this together. Take care. Stay safe.

Warm wishes and lots of love,

Deepali Nene
Principal – KIS